A family-owned daily newspaper serving Riverton, Lander and Fremont County, Wyoming since 1949

Law enforcement officers to increase patrols Sunday

Feb 3, 2014 - From staff reports

Local and state law enforcement officers plan to increase patrols this weekend in an attempt to curb drunken driven on Super Bowl Sunday.

The football championship brings families, friends and fans together each year to enjoy the game. Local officials say they want these gatherings to safely, not with tragedy.

"Before choosing to drink, choose a sober designated driver," Riverton Police Department Capt. Eric Murphy said in a press release. "Drunk driving is always preventable, and driving drunk could result in serious injury, your death or the death of someone else. Expect city, county and state law enforcement to have a visible presence and to stop anyone who drinks and drives."

Law enforcement and the Wyoming Governor's Council on Impaired Driving are working to spread this message to the public: Designate a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday, because fans don't let fans drive drunk.

Last year in Wyoming, there were 848 alcohol related crashes resulting in 31 fatalities.

"The loss of even one life to this most preventable crime is too many," Gov. Matt Mead said. "I ask you to join me in saving the lives of your friends, family and other innocent Wyoming citizens, by participating in and supporting these and future programs to stop impaired driving in our state."

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 9,878 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes nationwide in 2011, when drunken driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.